Tag: uncanny

The concept of these two images stemmed from the ideas presented and explained in “STRANGE No. 1” and “STRANGE No. 2”. This last step in the process was a bit more challenging in that i drew the whole body instead of just the face. The work fits perfectly into the definition of uncanny, as this taps into fear. Freud explained that “an uncanny effect is often and easily produced when the distinction between imagination and reality is effaced, as when something that we have hither to regarded as imaginary appears before us in reality…”. This is something that has been research for many years, but then again everything is subjective to the individual viewing it.

This little project was focused on facial features and how to manipulate them slightly so as to seem strange. The first drawing was called “Jessica”. The placement of her face was off center so the your eyes try to make up the rest of the body. “Jessica” also possesses no ears which is not very noticeable at first glance. This aesthetic along with the eyes being slightly off center, may solicit an odd feeling in the viewer. The portrait is also slightly alien looking while simultaneously attaining human qualities

The drawing following this was called “Frank”. Both drawings can be presented as a diptych. The lazy eye in this drawing is more prominent than the previous one so as to enhance an uncanny feeling.

These drawings were done using Photoshop. The process was very enjoyable and quite soothing seeing as it was the first time using Photoshop as a drawing medium.

The focus of my dissertation is, if the facial features of a sculpture can evoke an uncanny feeling in the viewer. Therefore I created a concept drawing of what my sculpture will more or less look like when it is produced and placed in its proper setting. I want people to feel slightly claustrophobic and uncomfortable, possibly quite scared when viewing my sculpture, which will be 80cm.

The sculpture will be placed on a chair facing a mirror, in a room which will be 2m/2m/2m. The viewer will have to walk into the room from behind the sculpture therefore seeing both the sculpture and themselves in the mirror, automatically interacting with it. There is also enough space for the viewer to walk around the work.

The material that it will be made out of is Dragon Skin FX pro and Soma Foma foam. This will give the piece a fleshy and tactile look which will hopefully create feelings of uncertainty and discomfort. I want to also incorporate hand poked hair so as to enhance the realistic effect in the work.

Attempting to create an uncanny effect

When I sculpt, time stops and its just me the clay. During this process all I can think about is the clay residue on my hands and the image that I want to achieve.
The portrait sculpture itself is not meant to be a perfect, realistic depiction of a person, but instead quite the opposite. The eyes are not symmetrical and are quite small, the nose is very large in comparison its long face and it possesses no ears. This sculpture is gender-less.

This sculpture is still in its early stages, the next step will be to fire and glaze it.

Many horror movies love to play on the corruption of the innocence of a child or even an unborn child. When directors forge the link between evil and children the line between monster and victim are blurred. The root of these films came out of the fear of parenthood, gender, social responsibility or even just folkloric myths. An uncanny effect takes place when these criteria are reached, as well as when dolls, that are usually associated with children, are also involved. A few examples of films that hit these points are, The Exorcist, The Boy and The Ring among many others.

(Fig 1: The Boy, 2016)

As Darren Stein explains, “It’s terrifying for people to see innocence perverted. Children aren’t fully formed physically or emotionally, so there’s something inherently “other” about them. Somehow they’re more impressionable. They could turn on you at any moment.”

Tari Nakagawa

This feeling in film can also be translated through sculpture. Below is a sculpture of a doll done by Tari Nakagawa, as you can see, the face alone gives off a lot of mixed emotions like sadness, sorrow, provocation, death or even just scary. Her green sullen eyes grasps the viewers sight in an almost provocative gaze.The body on the other hand gives off different vibes, about all the possible ways this “little girl” has died, if she was in fact murdered or if she is coming to haunt us. Other aspects that add to the creepy aura given off by this doll are, the messy hair and her posture which is quite inviting and vulgar.